AI Researcher

Intelligence Careers; Fort Meade (MD); Presencial; USD 87.000 - 197.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

National Security Agency seeks an AI Researcher to explore and extend what AI systems can do for the mission. The role spans rigorous evaluation, method development (benchmarking, training approaches, model analysis) and applied prototyping to turn capabilities into tools for analysts.

You will work with NSA experts in AI and related domains, with opportunities to contribute to roundtables and conferences. Full-time position in Maryland.

Formación

• Degrees in CS/Software Eng/Math or related fields with coursework in linear algebra and calculus.
• Experience in deep learning, neural networks, generative AI, or computer vision.
• Associates/Bachelors/Masters/Doctoral with relevant research or development in AI.

Responsabilidades

• Design and run experiments to characterize AI system capability, behavior, and failure modes.
• Develop training, fine-tuning, retrieval, and inference methods forAgency data and security needs.
• Prototype agentic AI applications and iterate based on user feedback.
• Investigate model internals, robustness, and safety, including possible attacks.
• Evaluate vendor and open-source AI systems against government baselines.
• Track state-of-the-art and provide evidence-based assessments of new models.
• Communicate results via reports, briefings, and internal publications; mentor juniors.

Conocimientos

Deep learning

Neural networks

Generative AI

Computer vision

Python

AI safety

Model evaluation

Educación

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE/Math/Statistics or related

Herramientas

PyTorch

JAX

TensorFlow

vLLM

Ollama

TGI

GGUF

AWQ

GPTQ

FastAPI

Gradio/Streamlit

Descripción del empleo

AI Researcher - Entry to Expert Level (Maryland)

Fort George G. Meade Complex, MD
Pay Plan: GG , Grade: 07/0 to 15/10
Open: 2026-10-06, Close: 2026-10-14

Job Posting: 1263706

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include:

• Design and run experiments that characterize AI system capability, behavior, and failure modes; build benchmarks and evaluation methodology where none exist.
• Develop training, fine-tuning, retrieval, and inference techniques suited to Agency data, scale, and security constraints.
• Prototype novel AI applications and agentic systems that put emerging capabilities in analysts' hands, and iterate them based on user feedback.
• Investigate model internals, robustness, and safety, including how AI systems can be attacked, manipulated, or induced to fail.
• Assess vendor, open-source, and internally developed AI systems against government baselines and mission requirements.
• Track the external state of the art and provide critical, evidence-based assessments of new models and techniques.
• Communicate results through technical reports, briefings, prototypes, and internal publications; mentor junior researchers and interns.

Job Summary

As an AI Researcher at NSA, you will investigate, characterize, and extend what AI systems can do for the mission. The work spans rigorous evaluation and method development (benchmarking, training approaches, model analysis) through applied prototyping that turns emerging capabilities into working tools. You may be assigned to a research organization, embedded with a mission element, or enrolled in a development program that rotates you through several. In each case you will work alongside NSA experts in AI, mission subject matter, and related technical fields, with opportunities to participate in internal technical roundtables and external conferences.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.Degrees must be in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Applied Statistics, Operations Research, Engineering, Computational Linguistics, Quantitative Finance, or Physical or Biological Sciences; all degrees must include coursework in linear algebra, multivariable (vector) calculus, and programming.Relevant experience must include one or more of the following: deep learning, neural networks, generative AI, or computer vision.ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTALEntry is with an Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree and no experience, or a Master's degree and no experience.Additional experience may also include research and/or development in any technical area.FULL PERFORMANCEEntry is with an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience.Additional experience may also include research and/or development in any technical area.SENIOREntry is with an Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience.Experience must also include research and/or development in AI.EXPERTEntry is with an Associate's degree plus 11 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 9 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 5 years of relevant experience.Experience must also include research and/or development in AI and experience in leading people or projects.

AI/ML- Deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow)- Transformer architectures, large language models, and multi-modal systems- Model training, fine-tuning, and parameter-efficient adaptation; preference optimization (RLHF/DPO)- Retrieval-augmented generation, agentic architectures, and tool use- Inference and serving stacks (vLLM, Ollama, TGI); quantization (GGUF, AWQ, GPTQ)Research & Evaluation- Experimental design: controls, baselines, ablations, threat-to-validity analysis- Applied statistics: significance testing, confidence intervals, power analysis, effect size- Evaluation methodology: metric design, adversarial and held-out test-set construction, human evaluation protocols- Model analysis: probing, attribution, interpretability, behavior and representation analysis- AI robustness and safety: prompt injection, adversarial inputs, data leakage and memorization- Critical reading of the ML research literatureMathematics & Computing- Linear algebra, probability, optimization, information theory, statistical inference, numerical methods- Python and the scientific stack; version control and collaborative development- Containerization- Rapid prototyping of AI applications (Python, FastAPI, Gradio/Streamlit, web fundamentals)- Reproducible research practice: experiment tracking, environment and dependency managementCommunication & Domain- Technical writing, briefing, and presenting to technical and non-technical audiences- Domain grounding (developed on the job): NLP, speech, vision, cybersecurity, HCI, or geospatial as assignment requires

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.Salary Range: $87,362 - $197,200 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance, Senior, Expert)Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).DCIPS Trial Period:If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.

DCIPS Disclaimer

**VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS**Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority.Veterans' PreferenceIn accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application.Acceptable documentation includes:- DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4); OR- Certification of Service:A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date; AND- Standard Form 15 (SF-15)Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf).If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability; AND- VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating)You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/).**Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process.